INTERVIEW:  

this was conducted via email in February 2002.  the answers came from Mike & Chris.

rectangular:  How do you guys write songs? Do you ever use acoustic guitars or a piano to compose music? Do you ever plan to add any new instruments to future recordings? Are songs ever written as individuals or are they all done as a group?

EITS:  All our songs are written as a group. We'll come up with a few parts and then discuss images that come to mind and the mood we want to set. There probably won't be any additional instruments on the next album, because none of us know how to play any other instruments.

rectangular:  A few bands from your "neck of the woods" appear to be influenced or inspired by religion, for example Lift To Experience and Trail of Dead. Has religion played any part in the creation of your music?

EITS:  Although we have used religious imagery, religion does not play a particularly important part in any of our lives. We're more interested by the myth of religion then the practice, particularly the ways in which people find solace and comfort through their faith, especially when they're confronted by horrible situations.

rectangular:  I was lucky enough to get a copy of the movie Cicadas recently. How much of your first album that appears in the film was already written and how much was created for the film? It sounds like there are about 6 to 8 compositions in the film that have yet to be released. Are those unreleased songs complete and do you plan to put them out on CD in the future?

EITS:  Most of the album tracks used in Cicadas were still being formed when we did the soundtrack. We fleshed them out later and those were the versions that ended up on the album. We have no plans to release or expand any of the other songs from the film, not because we hate them or anything, but just because they are mostly background pieces, and not terrifically interesting.

rectangular:  Speaking of movie scores, in your last interview you mentioned that there was more than one movie that you were asked to work on. Can you tell us the name of the film and how much material you contributed to it?

EITS:  We did the bulk of the score for a short film called The Absence of Wings, which was written and directed by the same girl who did Cicadas. There's only four or five minutes of music in it.

rectangular:  Would the band ever sign with a major label if the terms were right?

EITS:  Possibly. We don't necessarily have anything against major labels, but we are pretty suspicious of them. Some of our favorite bands have been on major labels, but we've also heard some horror stories. Anyway, we're happy on Temporary Residence. If TRL became a major label, we would sign with them for sure.

rectangular:  Legend has it that American Analog Set was responsible for informing Jeremy DeVine of your greatness? How well do you know the guys and gals from AMANSET?

EITS:  We are pretty good friends with The American Analog Set kids. They have been incredibly supportive of us since the beginning, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. We think they are on the best bands out there, and they're all super nice guys (no more girls in the band). Actually, they're jerks and we hate them.

rectangular:  During your post 9/11 tour, Munaf was supposedly displaying a flag of Pakistan on stage? Was there ever a time on the tour that the band was concerned for his safety?

EITS:  It was not a Pakistani flag that Munaf was displaying. It was a Texas flag. In fact, the two flags look nothing alike. We were a bit concerned for Munaf's safety, but no more than usual.

rectangular:  Which city or venue do you enjoy the most for playing live?

EITS:  New York City was quite nice, as was Cullowhee, North Carolina, and Flint, Michigan, surprisingly. As far as a favorite venue, that question is too hard to answer.

rectangular:  What music have you guys been listening to lately?

EITS:  The new Trail of Dead album, Lift to Experience, Sonna, American Analog Set, Blink-182, Stars of the Lid...

rectangular:  Where in D.C. was your second album recorded and was it done mostly live? What was it like working with Jeremy DeVine?

EITS:  We recorded it at Trevor Holland's house, two blocks away from Ben's Chili Bowl. Jeremy just sat on the couch the whole time, insulting us and rolling his eyes, but he made sure we got the sounds that we wanted.

rectangular:  What are the names of some of the previous bands you guys were members of?

EITS:  Scary Monsters, Earth Jerms, Grizzly Adams Family, Gentry Fie, Fregado, Satori, Liquid Dinosaur, Ambush, Lost Rabbit, Velvet Lounge, Isotone.

rectangular:  Besides Metallica, who else were you guys big fans of when you were teenagers?

EITS:  We listened to lots of stuff, but some of the pivotal bands/musicians were Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, NOFX, The Cure, Fugazi, Pavement...pretty much what everyone else was listening to.

rectangular:  If you could hang out with any musician living or dead, who would it be?

EITS:  It would probably be pretty interesting to spend some time with Neil Young on his ranch in Wyoming.

rectangular:  Having never been in a band myself, I have always wanted to know if independent bands like yourselves end up loosing money when you go on tour?

EITS:  Yes, we lose money on tour. Hopefully, that will not remain the case forever, but it very well may. We do know some independent bands that make money on tour, but they are much better than us.

rectangular:  The spoken word section in one of your songs is from a war movie, and you mentioned before that many of your songs were inspired by warfare. Do all four of you have interests in military history?

EITS:  I don't think we're really as fascinated by actual military history as we are by the sort of abstract notion of warfare, and of being a soldier in particular; how overwhelming it must be. The idea of fighting for your life, and the psychological and
emotional ramifications of it all is what inspires our fascination and our awe.

rectangular:  Austin has a ton of great places to eat at. Do you guys have a mutual favorite?

EITS:  Our favorite restaurant in Austin would have to be Milto's Pizza Pub, because that's where we all met up for the first time. Plus, their pizza is delicious, and terrifyingly cheap. Some runners up are Sarovar (Indian food), Frank'n'Angies (Italian) Korea Garden (guess), and Mi Madres (breakfast tacos) along with all the various fast food chains we just can't seem to stop ourselves from frequenting.

rectangular:  What is it exactly that disappoints you about your first album, and do you plan to re-work any more of the songs from it?

EITS:  The songs were not very focused and the recording was rushed. We still like some of the songs, though, Magic Hours in particular, but the recording makes them sound even worse than they may actually be.

rectangular:  Whatever happened to the "Star Search" proposal that you guys were approached with?

EITS:  Nothing ever became of it despite numerous efforts on our part. I guess ol' Ed didn't like our band name.

rectangular:  In April of 1999 you four played together for the first time. What kind of material did you play and how did you know that the band was going to work out?

EITS:  We started off playing basically the same kind of music that we do now. We knew we wanted it to be beautiful and emotionally effecting and punishing loud. We had all played in rock bands before, but on that first night we all seemed willing, desperate even, to try something over the top. We wanted to make people cry and vomit. We wanted to use soft melodies to caress, and walls of shrieking distortion to punch in the face. It was terrible, but we all loved it, and I guess that's how we knew it would work out.

rectangular:  Can you give us a little insight into what the meaning behind the title of your second album is?

EITS:  There's not really too much beneath the surface on this one. Liars are forgotten, integrity remembered, and we'll all be dead soon enough.